Standing There (Love in the Park 1)

“What the fuck are you doing out here?” he hollers, but over the din of the music and crowd, I can barely hear him. The stone-cold look of rage told me all I needed to know. He was pissed as fuck.

My emotions are high. Before I came here, I was anxious and feeling as if I shouldn’t come. Then I feel the joy of living a little. When I saw Roman, everything changed in me. Now, this ass has set me off. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why can’t I go out?”

“You know damn well it’s not safe,” he argues loudly at first but lowers his voice when there’s a break in the music.

I puff up my chest. He’s been my champion and my hero for so long, and now he’s doing this. “Why? You have a team of people following me. You should make sure I don’t see you talking to them. I’m not going to miss them. I’m always on high alert. I need some freedom. Maybe college is the best thing for me now.”

“Maybe I’ll pull the tuition.”

“Are you fucking serious? You were happy about me going a few weeks ago.” I can’t believe it. I’m doing my best not to cry.

“It’s not safe,” he pleads to soften his tone.

I shake my head and wipe away the one tear that has fallen. “It’s not safe? When will it ever be safe enough for you? When he’s dead?”

“Yes. Damn it, this isn’t the place for this. Let’s go home and talk.” He grabs hold of my arm, but I thrust it away from him. I’m not going to let him boss me around.

“No. I’m not leaving.”

“I’m not going to tell you again. If you don’t come with…don’t come home.”

“Maybe I won’t. Then you can be happy. I’ll stay with Katherine until you return to the brother I used to like. Let’s go, Katherine.” I take our chairs, slinging them over my shoulder.

“Wait, Lindsay. I didn’t mean that.”

“Then you shouldn’t have said it. Stop worrying about me. I’ll be out of your hair very soon.” I had a large inheritance from my parents’ death. I never touched it because I’ve been too scared to live. Not anymore. “Call off your hounds as well. I don’t want to see them again.”

“You’re a dick,” Katherine mutters as we walk away. I do all I can to keep it together.

As soon as we’re in the car, she says, “You know he didn’t mean it. He’s crazy, overbearing, but he’s scared.”

“I know, but I’ve realized I have to do something with myself. Even if it’s just a short vacation alone.”

“Alone? That’s not smart no matter who you are,” she warns me.

“True. Can you take a couple of days off and we fly to somewhere, anywhere?”

“Sure thing.”

“Good. Now, can I crash at your place tonight.”

“Girl, of course, you can. Anytime, always. Now tell me about the cute guy you were talking to. If you think I didn’t notice, you’re sorely mistaken.”

I go over our whole debacle and then the promise to call. “Damn, he was hot. I wonder if he’s legit serious.”

“I don’t know. But there’s only one way to find out…in time.” We get back to her apartment after stopping at a taco place.

“Here are some blankets,” she offers, tossing them onto the sofa. She has a small one-bedroom apartment. She’s got her own money. Not like mine, her parents are still alive, but they pay half of her bills. She goes to school at the local community college and loves it.

“I’m exhausted.” She yawns and mutters a goodnight.

“Goodnight.” I whip my bra through my sleeve, then climb under the covers. Once I’m snuggled in, I send a text to Roman, just to let him know I’m home. He’s probably still at the park with his sister and having a good time without me. A tinge of jealousy hits me, but I shove it aside. I just met the guy after all. Made it in one piece.

Great, babe. Call you in the morning. Damn, he sounds distracted and dismissive.

Chapter 7

Roman

I didn’t want to walk away, but the confrontation between Brent and I would have revealed my true identity to her, sending her running for the hills. As deceitful as it may be, I need a day or two before I let it all out. In that time, I’ll do my best to keep our touches to a minimum. Even as I think it, I don’t believe it. If Lindsay gave me a way in, I would take it.

“Come on, we’re leaving,” I tell her. The concert isn’t over for another hour, but I’ve had enough.

“Why? Things didn’t work out between you two? I’m sorry about that.”

“No, she and I will talk tonight. She has her own reasons for leaving. I just have a lot to do before I leave tomorrow.”